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Screen Reader Summary

This weeks reading discussed screen readers, and tactics people have used in order to get more out of the screen reader. This reading also goes over some of the issues that arise when using a screen reader.

There are many strategies when using screen readers in order to make them more efficient. One of the browsing strategies is to increase the speed at which the screen reader reads the text. Many individuals like readers that sound human like, but for someone using a screen reader, this is not the case. Increasing the speed of a screen reader can make a fake voice sound even more fake. Increasing the speed of the screen reader is not for beginners, and is usually done after someone becomes more comfortable with the reader.

Another technique used is to navigate through all of the headings using a screen reader. There are hot keys when using the reader that can allow for faster navigation. Searching for headers is a way to let the user know where things are located on the screen. This browsing technique also helps to find where important information lies.

Another option when using screen readers is to create your own landmarks. Doing so allows the user to navigate to whichever place he/she wishes on the screen. In order to do this, the user must already be knowledgeable of the site, and also be using a screen reading software that has this capability.

Another technique used is looking for particular tags within the html in a user interface. Tags within html contain sets of information and are stored and organized through special characters. One of these character is the p tag or <p> . When tabbing through a site looking for p tags, a user is able to navigate where more than likely, there will be some sort of information. If all of the browsing techniques fail, individuals would then have to tab through the page one section at a time.